By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: Empower Sports Academy unveiled a landmark program aimed at transforming women’s sports in Pakistan, announcing a partnership with the Prime Minister’s Youth Program to train and empower 10,000 young female athletes annually.
The initiative, presented at a high-profile press conference, seeks to provide world-class coaching, education, and international opportunities for girls across the country. Empower Sports Academy’s Alisha Junaid highlighted the barriers she witnessed for talented girls in Pakistan and stressed the need for structured pathways to national and global success.
Alisha said the Academy, in collaboration with local Olympians and international institutions such as Stanford University and VakıfBank, aims to nurture both athletic and academic excellence. The press conference featured statements from PMYP Sindh Coordinator Fahad Shafique and a video message from PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, who praised the initiative as a step toward broadening access to sports, mentorship, and competitive opportunities for young women.
Empower Sports Academy already works with girls from cities and underserved communities in remote regions of Balochistan, northern Pakistan, Punjab, and Sindh, including girls who had previously lacked access to education or sport. The Academy operates with the guidance of a global Board of Directors, including volleyball legends and industry leaders, to ensure sustainability, governance, and long-term impact.
Official partners supporting the initiative include Stanford Women’s Volleyball, VakıfBank Sports Club, Jazz, JazzCash, Nike, PMYP, and several educational and sports institutions, providing pathways for scholarships, international training, and competitive exposure. The program concluded with a question-and-answer session and high tea, signaling a new era for female sports development in Pakistan.
